Though being tiny, blind, and translucent, a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
Meaning Analysis
- Though being
- tiny,
- blind, and
- translucent,
The sentence begins with the key-word though, suggesting that the author will pitch two pieces of information that are not in the same direction. We find out that (even though) a certain creature is rather weak with respect to some of its physical attributes. Let’s read further to find out what the contrasting piece of information is.
- a recently discovered species of catfish lessens their vulnerability
- with thickened bones and armor plates on their sides.
In this portion, we find out that the characteristics presented earlier are of a particular species of fish. Supplying us with the contrasting piece of information, this part tells us that this species reduces its exposure to danger with the help of some other physical features that are strong..
To sum up, the sentence presents contrasting features of a particular species of fish. While certain characteristics seem to be the weakness of this species, there are certain other characteristics that help this species take care of its exposure to danger.
Error Analysis
1&2. Pronoun Errors
Use of the plural pronoun their is incorrect in both the instances. The antecedent of their at both places is the singular noun species. Hence, we have pronoun antecedent must agree in number errors.
2. Redundancy Error
Use of being as a modifier is not required in the sentence. The opening adjectives makes it very clear that these are the features of a certain species of catfish.
3. Meaning Error
In its current structure, the sentence says that the species itself decreases its vulnerability. This meaning is not logical. From the meaning analysis, we know that certain features in this species of catfish reduce its vulnerability.
POE
Choice A
Incorrect
This choice has the errors pointed out in the error analysis.
Choice B
Correct
This is the correct answer choice. While removal of being rectifies the modifier error, both the singular pronoun it correctly refers to singular species. The rearrangement of words in this choice clearly conveys the logical intended contrast.
Choice C
Incorrect
1. Pronoun Error
The plural pronoun their doesn’t agree with the singular antecedent species.
2. Modifier Error
The relative pronoun modifier that modifies the immediate preceding noun its sides. Please note that this noun modifier cannot jump over the preceding prepositional phrase on its sides to logically refer to thickened bones and armor plates because this prepositional phrase modifies the verb has and not its preceding noun phrase.
3. Meaning Error
The way though tiny… translucent is placed in the sentence, it fails to convey the intended contrast. The placement of this phrase makes it difficult to establish that these qualities belong to this particular species of catfish.
Choice D
Incorrect
1. Pronoun Error
The plural pronoun their doesn’t agree with the singular antecedent species.
2. Meaning Errors
Absence of the contrasting word though removes the intended contrast in the sentence.
Choice E
Incorrect
1. Modifier Error
The opening adjectives/noun modifiers tiny, blind, and translucent illogically modifies the subject of the following main clause thickened bones and armor plates.
2. Meaning Errors
This choice repeats the meaning error of Choice D. In fact, this choice completely distorts the intended contrast of the sentence.
